â€œWhere thereâ€™s a mouse, thereâ€™s a way,â€ says Louie LaSurie. But it will take more than lofty words for Louie to achieve his goal: to be the first mouse to play for France in the World Cup soccer tournament.

WORLD CUP MOUSE is a funny, action-filled tale of friendship and pursuing oneâ€™s dream even when it seems impossible. For example, how can Louie ever manage to kick a human-sized soccer ball and not just the dried pea with which he has been practicing? How can he avoid getting squished by the thrashing feet of the giant humans? And can he overcome his own self-doubts and fiery temper? Aided by his best friend, FranÃ§ois, and the human girl, Rose, Louie gives it his best shot.

Richard: Thank you, FranÃ§ois. I love to make jokes and funny business. Thatâ€™s one of the main reasons I enjoy writing â€“ to amuse myself and children (and also the big children that we call â€œgrown-upsâ€). For me, funny business is a way to love life, and itâ€™s also a way to transform sorrows.

FranÃ§ois: Why do you like writing about mice like me and Louie?

Richard: I’ve always been inspired by mice in literature. Some of my favorite characters are mice: Stuart Little, Doctor De Soto, Norman the Doorman, Despereaux. Itâ€™s fun to write about you literary mice guys.

FranÃ§ois: Thanks. What other accomplishments are you proud of?

Richard: Well, Iâ€™m proud of the book I wrote for grown-ups, “A New Oracle of Kabbalah: Mystical Teachings of the Hebrew Letters.” And Iâ€™m proud that in the fall of 2013, after training in the martial arts for eighteen years, I finally earned a black belt in Shotokan Karate.

Richard: Yes. Iâ€™m a member of SCBWI, the Society of Childrenâ€™s Book Writers and Illustrators, and a founding member of a local childrenâ€™s book writing critique group. Iâ€™m also the author of several screenplays for family films, including an adaptation of “World Cup Mouse.” Maybe youâ€™ll become a Hollywood star, FranÃ§ois! I now live in Ashland, Oregon with my beloved wife, our chickens, and our myriad small friends.

FranÃ§ois: Any mice?

Richard: Only a stuffed toy Despeareaux looking over my writing desk.

FranÃ§ois: I guess thatâ€™s better than nothing. Well, thanks for the interview.